Media: Moldova wants to control travel of Transnistrian officials

The Moldovan government is discussing the idea of introducing a system of exit notices for officials from Transnistria, which is not controlled by Chișinău, Kommersant newspaper reports.

Representatives of the unrecognized republic’s authority structures, including the leaders, may be obligated to inform Chișinău of their trips abroad ahead of time.

Active discussion of the new rules began after Transnistrian President Vadim Krasnoselsky visited London in June and was received at the British Ministry of Foreign Affairs, inciting a diplomatic scandal.

According to a source in the Moldovan government, there is general consensus on this matter between the administration of President Igor Dodon and the Cabinet of Ministers. Usually Dodon, who advocates bringing the country closer to Russia, and the Moldovan government, which calls itself pro-West, are often in conflict, but in this regard their positions coincide.

Currently Transnistrian officials, including the leadership of Transnistria, fly freely from the Moldovan capital in any direction. Essentially, this is their only way to travel: after the start of the conflict in Ukraine in 2014, they stopped using the airport in Odessa and in principle avoid trips to Ukraine and transit through it.

Moscow is the most popular destination for officials of unrecognized Transnistria.

It is currently unclear when the final ruling will be made regarding the exit notices, but sources suggest it may take place in autumn.